Remember the 1997 film, “Wag the Dog?” Many trends from the 1990s are in style and the movie has become real life. Only the war is at home instead of abroad.

First there are the problems to distract from. People realize the multi-trillion debt-inflating cruelty of the Big Beautiful Bill, calling Senators to defeat it.

President Donald Trump and his billionaire buddy, Elon, broke up. Courts and voters recognize the damage caused by disorganized tariffs, ICE, funding cuts and firings.

Then, as support drops, ICE raids have dramatically increased in Los Angeles and other cities. Predominantly peaceful protests rose up to support immigrant communities. Local officials said it was under control.

Trump called it a war zone, but those on the ground reported few incidents of violence. The LA Pride festival, sporting events, and concerts still went on.

Trump ignored local officials and deployed the National Guard and Marines, wagging the dog.

This is how authoritarian police states form, enflaming and exaggerating then sending in troops. On June 14, Trump’s birthday, a parade of soldiers, tanks and aircraft took to the streets of Washington, D.C. Ostensibly to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary, at an estimated cost of $50 million.

Sending troops to LA cost $134 million. Meanwhile, the spending plan cuts health insurance for 14 million people, food assistance, research and much more.

Shifting the burden to individuals and states so billionaires get a record-breaking tax cut. Are they making America great or wagging a gold-plated dog?

Stephen Holland

Altoona